History Main / LastChanceToQuit

* ''Film/{{Taken}}'' has an example of the hero giving the villain the chance to back off, with Bryan Mills telling the people who kidnapped his daughter that he'll leave them alone if they release her, but will [[PapaWolf hunt them down and kill them]] if they don't.

-->'''Adrian Toomes:''' You saved [[spoiler:my daughter's]] life, and I could never forget something like that, so I'll give you one chance. You ready? You walk through those doors, You forget any of this happened. And don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again.

to:

-->'''Adrian Toomes:''' You saved [[spoiler:my daughter's]] life, and [[EvenEvilHasLovedOnes I could never forget something like that, that]], so I'll give you one chance. You ready? You walk through those doors, You forget any of this happened. And don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again.

-->'''Toomes:''' You saved [[spoiler:my daughter's]] life, and I could never forget something like that, so I'll give you one chance. You ready? You walk through those doors, You forget any of this happened. And don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again.

to:

-->'''Toomes:''' -->'''Adrian Toomes:''' You saved [[spoiler:my daughter's]] life, and I could never forget something like that, so I'll give you one chance. You ready? You walk through those doors, You forget any of this happened. And don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again.

-->'''Toomes:''' You saved [[spoiler:my daughter's]] life, and I could never forget something like that, so I'll give you one chance. You ready? You walk through those doors, You forget any of this happened. And don't you ever, ever interfere with my business again.

As indicated by some of the examples, the trope is not necessarily limited to villains. A hero might offer a villain (or another hero with whom he is [[LetsYouAndHimFight fighting for some reason]]) a chance to back down if the hero prefers to avoid unnecessary violence or simply wants the problem resolved as quickly as possible.

* ''Film/ThreeTenToYuma2007''. Dan Evans is part of a posse transporting the dangerous outlaw Ben Wade to a prison train. Evans is motivate partly by wanting to prove his honor, and partly because his family needs the $200 reward. When they're alone together, Wade offers Evans $400 to give up and let him go. Later, while waiting for the train in Contention, Wade increases the offer to $1000, explaining that this is Evans' last chance to walk away from the situation. [[spoiler:Dan just laughs at the utter impracticality of accepting that much cash. Specifically, if he tried to actually spend any of it, everyone would ''know'' where he got the money from.]]

A slightly more generous (or desperate) villain will up the ante to WeCanRuleTogether instead. Compare LineInTheSand, where the hero gives their allies a chance to quit before the big showdown.

to:

A slightly more generous (or desperate) villain will up the ante to WeCanRuleTogether instead. Compare LineInTheSand, where the hero gives their allies a chance to quit before the big showdown.showdown, and LeaveYourQuestTest, which isn't necessarily offered by the villain.

* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' has a twist on this, in that Xykon doesn't offer Roy a chance to leave because he doesn't want to hurt Roy, but because he doesn't feel Roy's worth his time and effort. He actually suggests that Roy try again when he [[LevelGrinding grows powerful enough]] to [[YearsTooEarly present a real challenge]]. When Roy refuses, Xykon very quickly decides to show him just how outclassed he is.

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* ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' has ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' ** Xykon offers a twist on this, in this -- it's not that Xykon doesn't offer Roy a chance to leave because he doesn't want to hurt Roy, but because that he doesn't feel Roy's worth his time and effort. He actually suggests that Roy try again when he [[LevelGrinding grows powerful enough]] to [[YearsTooEarly present a real challenge]]. When Roy refuses, Xykon very quickly decides to show him just how outclassed he is.is.** The fiends that are [[http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0634.html offering]] Vaarsuvius a DealWithTheDevil point out that, instead of taking their offer, V ''could'' kill themself, have Qarr bring their head to the Azure City fleet, get resurrected, and Send to their master, who would defeat the ancient black dragon before she could steal V's children's souls. The purpose of pointing this out is twofold: first, to make sure V '''''knows''''' that they only accepted the deal out of {{Pride}}, as this alternative would require them to admit that they couldn't solve the problem on their own. And second, to remove their ability to claim IDidWhatIHadToDo, as they were about to do before the fiends spoke up.

An AffablyEvil villain (or a PunchClockVillain, or even a WellIntentionedExtremist that hasn't gone AxCrazy) may very well at some point offer TheHero the opportunity to run away or not interfere in the villain's plans. Because he/she may very well not actually wish to harm the hero, they simply want to complete the robbery/rule the world/raise the undead, what have you. A MagnificentBastard or SmugSnake might do this to highlight just how assured their victory is. Thus, this can be a fashion of EvilGloating. Alternatively, a [[PragmaticVillainy practical-minded villain]] may simply prefer to avoid the risk and trouble of a fight if possible. Expect some sort of bribe: usually a cut of the stolen goods, a sip of the forbidden elixir if it's a fantasy or sci-fi story, or a ShinyNewAustralia.

In the majority of cases, TheHero will refuse to quit their crusade against evil, some might even be insulted by the villain's audacity and self-assuredness. Thus, this can also be a fashion of TheReasonYouSuckSpeech. A number of things may happen after getting a Last Chance. If the villain's cockiness is rightfully assured, chances are the good guys are in for CurbStompBattle. Otherwise, the good guys may respond with a ScrewYourUltimatum.

The opposite use when someone is BullyingADragon, or bullying someone who will let it go, but has less forgiving friends. Then there's a reasonable warning along the lines of "Leave it. Just walk away now." If that's not taken, there's trouble.

to:

An AffablyEvil villain (or a PunchClockVillain, or even a WellIntentionedExtremist that hasn't gone AxCrazy) may very well at some point offer TheHero the opportunity to run away or not interfere in the villain's plans. Because he/she may very well not actually wish to harm the hero, they simply want to complete the robbery/rule the world/raise the undead, what have you. A MagnificentBastard or SmugSnake might do this to highlight just how assured their victory is. Thus, this can be a fashion type of EvilGloating. Alternatively, a [[PragmaticVillainy practical-minded villain]] may simply prefer to avoid the risk and trouble of a fight if possible. Expect some sort of bribe: usually a cut of the stolen goods, a sip of the forbidden elixir if it's a fantasy or sci-fi story, or a ShinyNewAustralia.

In the majority of cases, TheHero will refuse to quit their crusade against evil, some might even be insulted by the villain's audacity and self-assuredness. Thus, this can also be a fashion type of TheReasonYouSuckSpeech. A number of things may happen after getting a Last Chance. If the villain's cockiness is rightfully assured, chances are the good guys are in for a CurbStompBattle. Otherwise, the good guys may respond with a ScrewYourUltimatum.

The opposite use is when someone is BullyingADragon, or bullying someone who will let it go, but has less forgiving friends. Then there's a reasonable warning along the lines of "Leave it. Just walk away now." If that's not taken, there's trouble.

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